DOWNTOWN DIALOGUE

​My mind is not fully there for writing right now for some reason. Well, writing full sentences. I’ll jot down just kind of some quick thoughts in my frame right now. Maybe a poem?

WinterWinter is fully here. It’s a time where eventually I'll dream of warmer days.Dream of sun.Time to really make it a point to remember why I am happy because it’s easy in this gloom to sometimes feel gloomy.Last year was the first time I experienced it.Vitamin D vitamins have been recommended.I don’t expect to feel as low this year.I wasn’t happy at work and it wasn’t hard to go in for the day only in the winter. Winter it just got worse.There were weeks without sun.I love the sun.Did she leave us?She always comes back.And so quickly everything can feel different.Everything can change.Just like when she left.

SeasonsTo be in a place where the air changes.Warm, hot, cold. Wet, dry.Everything around the air changes with it.Trees, grass. Ecosystem.4 seasons. 4 times of life.Life is different in each. Feelings are different 4 times. At least.I haven’t lived another way.By the time one season comes to an end, I am ready for new air.This Midwest pattern is all I’ve known.I think I like it.But how would I know?

Some people really love winter. I certainly am seeing people at the church who most definitely don’t prefer it. Wherever you stand, I hope you are warm. If you have pets, I hope they are warm. I mean it so deeply that it’s all I am going to wish for you this week.

Sometimes new things can be challenging. When you’ve been part of something, an institution maybe, for a long time or even your whole life and then developments happen it can cause a lot of different emotions. I really do believe that change isn’t a bad thing. When something is evolving, it shows it’s alive. If this something means a lot to you and has been a part of your life, that could be very exciting for you. I think it should. But I understand change isn’t always easy.

I’ll get to the point. What I’m talking about is the idea of a church being a community neighbor and opening its doors to people other than its members. I just had a conversation, and it surely was not the first and won't be the last, about all of this. A long-time member wondering why do we have to do this? Our members support this church and have since its existence. Are we not enough? To that I said bringing more people in is not a factor of something lacking within. Bringing new people in is part of what we are all about. It’s our call to be Godly people and lead a path the way Jesus wants and expects us to. Almost perfectly centered in downtown, we have immediate access to this adventure. I’m not an expert but I imagine Jesus as someone who would open his doors to anyone and everyone. While still loving and appreciating his closest allies, he would be willing to accept those who live beyond his doors. Shouldn’t we be doing the same?

I hear and understand the opinions of a change like this. However, overall, this is not a new idea. Larger cities have been working at this for more than a decade (check out this article.) I believe churches all over our community also now know their existence has to include their neighbors. I am not a member here at Trinity and that was known when I was hired. My bosses wanted someone with an "outside” point of view because those are the people they want here with our members. I have already since September grown to appreciate and care for Trinity and am forming relationships within. I am already proud to talk about what goes on here and how we can be a place for you, no matter what your circumstances are. While I am doing that, the focus is in no way going away from the beloved members that call Trinity home. We just want to show more people how great your home is and hope that here they can form, at the least, pieces of their home.

What if anything do you know about Trinity? Are you a member here? Have you ever been here? What do you think a downtown church should encompass? How can we be a better neighbor for you? Please, I want to hear it all.

​It’s January 4th and I am outside writing on my laptop. I’m just next to our garden which is really gorgeous when in full bloom. (I like it now, too.) How crazy is it that I’m sitting here in the sun sweating in my winter coat and boots! Maybe this weird warmth means winter will last longer or it comes at the hand of global warming…I don’t know…I’m not going to think about it that much and get into all of that. I’m just going to enjoy this.

​The holidays have come and gone for another year. I cherish the time with family, but it seems to get a little different every year. I guess I just care more about our time together than the traditional excitement that comes with the season, I think. I hope you felt joy and love, too.

Now there is a lot of focus on a new year and resolutions. I’m not one who focuses hard on New Year resolutions. I never could figure out why limiting my potato chip intake would make me a better person. SO, I strived for more personal goals. Listening more, getting impatient less, etc. But, even then, these are things I work at all the time so I don’t really stress too much on 2019 resolutions but just keep trying to be better. Do you have any resolutions?

​I do like the idea of a new beginning with a new year, however. I think it’s nice to look back on what the last year brought- obstacles, triumphs- then look ahead to a fresh start. I experienced a lot of new challenges and emotions last year and am happy with what I gained in the process. It certainly wasn’t all challenging! But, during all good and not so good emotions, I prayed for patience and trust. Patience is definitely my weakest virtue, so I pray a lot for guidance in that realm. I prayed for patience when I felt like I wasn't sure where I was going. I’m glad I ended up where I did. Now, a whole new set of patience comes in the picture. Patience with a change in a career, a change in tasks, a differently-paced job, and more. It’s all exciting though and I’m very much looking forward to what’s ahead.

The last couple weeks I’ve dipped my toes into some new finance lessons, too! Learning ways to handle my credit card, looking into options for a reliable vehicle. First week of 2019 I think I’m learning a lot! But, today, my head hurts from the new “adult” information a 27 year old learns. Patience is definitely needed here ;)

​It’s so comforting to know that no matter where we are- reflecting on the past year, easing into a new year, learning life strategies- God is right there with us. We may not end up learning the way we want to but I am going to try my best to use patience in knowing that it’s learning the way he planned me to. Happy 2019 to you.

Sara Schaefer

Welcome to my blog. I am so happy I get to do this. Please know that I will be open, honest, and personal. I never wish to offend you or your opinions but rather use this forum as a way of expression. Blogs give people that freedom and I hope with each post, even when we disagree, we have mutual respect for each other as well as appreciation and gratefulness for this type of medium.